Howie: Essentia’s ER is the spine of Northern Minnesota
Essentia’s downtown campus functions as a Level I trauma center — the highest designation available — meaning it must have surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons and critical care specialists available at all hours. Not on call from home. Available.
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Howie: The verdict on Reinert will be about direction, not personality
The question is no longer simply whether Roger Reinert deserves another term. The question is whether Duluth believes it is on the path it wants — and if not, who has the discipline, clarity and courage to alter it. November 2027 will deliver the verdict. The work of deciding it begins now.
Howie: Essentia Health is the power behind northern Minnesota’s health care
Essentia’s strength in Duluth lies in its scale, integration and specialty depth. Without that concentration, northern Minnesota would export far more complex care to the metro. The region would lose physicians, revenue and economic stability. Its vulnerability lies in the same concentration.
Howie: Essentia Health is northern Minnesota’s economic engine
Howie Hanson is Minnesota’s Columnist, writing about power, money, sports and civic life across the state. His daily column is sponsored by Lyric Kitchen . Bar of Duluth. Healthcare systems now hold more economic sway in parts of Minnesota than mining companies once did. In northern Minnesota, Essentia Health sits
Howie: Minnesota has a fraud problem. The real question is who pays for it?
The responsible posture is straightforward: acknowledge the verified damage, pursue every recoverable dollar, prepare for the possibility of additional exposure and insist on public updates as investigations progress.
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Howie: The verdict on Reinert will be about direction, not personality
The question is no longer simply whether Roger Reinert deserves another term. The question is whether Duluth believes it is on the path it wants — and if not, who has the discipline, clarity and courage to alter it. November 2027 will deliver the verdict. The work of deciding it begins now.
Essentia Health: No layoffs planned amid role changes, informational picket scheduled
Union members have announced plans for an informational picket next week on Essentia’s downtown campus. Essentia said the picket is not a work stoppage.
Tim Meyer: Community ownership of the Twins?
If the current ownership group can deliver sustained contention, it will be welcomed. If not, it may be time to ask whether a broader form of ownership — one rooted in the community — could provide the stability and commitment required to build a true, lasting winner.